Tuesday, 22 June 2010

Frankfurt Dragon Boat Festival

As one of Europe's major business cities, Frankfurt is home to some of the largest international festivals in Europe, one of them is the yearly Dragon Boat Festival. Also due to the 15% of foreign population are from Asia, Frankfurt has supported and encouraged the dragon boat fascination since 1991. The aim of this festival is to forge links between Frankfurt's international partner cities and the great dragon boat festivals like those in London, Penang, Toronto, Hongkong and New York.

The Dragon Boat Festival, now in its 19 years, is an annual tradition for many Frankfurter. With over 100 Dragon Boat teams and over tens of thousands attendees who train for the races with colleagues, friends and family, the festival is a big happening. It will always be held around end of May along the Main river where everyone could enjoy the free festivities include watching the regatta, live music in the evening, and plenty of food vendors.

Sore before really getting myself busy with assignments, i took the opportunity to take part in this festival since the weather was great. Well, was just physically giving my support to the participants snapping pictures here and there. It was indeed a fun filled event that brings sports, team spirit, community spirit and the Chinese culture to everyone. I was absolutely impressed as this culture is truly promoted and appreciated by the German and other foreigners.

the donG : hahaha teamwork is very important i must say... if not it's hard to win ya...also need a lot of stamina =p ironman?? hahah i wanna take part too...but gotta get ready for my final presentations for the semester...

rainfield61 : hahaha because it's the season now... for both important historical festival and sport event... yah i heard the players are not intend to go back to north korea...

Hi, glad to see Dragon Boat Festival in Frankfurt. As you said hope it would be an annual event held at there. BTW, in your pictures how come I didn't see any Chinese participated in the event? It's more meaningful and encouraging if we Chinese also play a role in promoting the event, right? :)

edward : yeah it;s an anual event here in frankfurt... and well yeah not many chinese participated but still there's few.. i guess there's a chinese team... and i didnt stay long for the whole day, just was there for couple of hours :) anyway will stay late next year if i have time to visit again... haha... erm it's an international event.. the authority is already spending alot of money to promote the festival haha

Bengbeng : yeah it's quite different here in european countries :) they are very concern about the equalities :p hihihi females really show their interests lol

Bananazஇ : yeah it's my pleasure to share everything here with you guys ya :) hehehe and yeah it's impressive to see them working hard for the races :p even those most of us not really into that festival... right? haha

Xjion89 : yeah i am back ya :) finally... but still gotta be away for 1more week as i still have 20% left need to be done by this weekend =p hahaha... well i have seen many pictures of similar festival from toronto, london and new york, so it's alright for me, but when i was there myself was impressed over their spirit... haha =p will go again next year if i have the time =p

1ondoncalling : sadly we dont have dumpling here in frankfurt >< only the boat races >< anyway how can they named it as hongkong festival??? omg... correct them please! write the letter to the mayor pls!

isnt glutinous rice white?? hahahha anyway i havent tried nyonya dumplings... never heard of it also...but would like to give it a try! probably 2yrs later... hahaha well i bet they dont know about the history of the festival... >< they just want an excuse to have such international being held in frankfurt...

Wow.. what an event! The dragon boats are really beautiful. A great sport to show team spirit and it's even more amazing to see how they all work in absolute sync without dropping their stamina one bit.

there it is...the event you and little fufuf attended. I never really thought Europeans would be into dragon boat racing but I guess it's kinda refreshing to see one or two of those boats in these European rivers......

vialentino : yeah reading my blog is always good right? as you will see many cool stuff haha... yeah hope to stay longer next year and if i got a better lens, probably can snap better pictures :) glad dylan is growing lol cant wait to play with him next year haha

Harumi : yeah the dragon boats ate really nice :) but i think they are going to use the same boats again next year hahaha thanks for watching the videos ya... glad you like them and the pictures as well .... haha

pusang kalye : i didnt bring little fufu out though >< hahaha anyway it's nice to see dragon boat racing on the river here in geramny :) and most of the participants are non-asians :)

安东尼 : wow good to know that brisbane has dragon boat festival and for high school students?? well, something new to me =p hahaha anyway the festival in frankfurt has high school, uni and corporate teams :)

猪公主 : yeah they really enjoyed the festival but i doubt they know the story behind it as dumplings not sold here... just the boat racing... that's it... anyway still glad the chinese festival is nicely promoted here ya =p and i will be visiting again next year...because wanna stay longer for other event :) like concert and games...

bluedreamer27 : hahaha you still remember my little fufu :) he says hi to you =p yeah dont miss the boat festival next year ok? i too wonder how you look like if you are one of the paddlers lol must be the magnet as all attention will be focused on you ya... happy blogging to you too =)

WOW! Asian compose 15% of the Germany population??? That's a whooping 12.3 million people!!! This dragon boat festival is a perfect platform to foster ties and understanding among different racial and ethnic groups. Wonderful effort!

Looks like a fun event. I can see delicious ice-creams and cute poodles :) Oh darn, I missed Putrajaya 2nd International Dragon Boat Festival.

shloke : yeah 15%, because frankfurt is an international city here, not the whole population of the nation :) erm yeah at least they know it's from china and well so far i think they enjoyed the team spirits through this festival =p... hahaha dont miss the 3rd putrajaya dragon boat festival ya XD ice cream? erm so expensive, still my italian gelato is the best :p

Wilson豆腐 : nope i didnt take part :) but well, may not be able or late for next year as i cant practise with other participants >< because will be back to germany by april... anyway will see how... if not, just be there is more than enough i guess hahaha

the goal that was not/ the goal that should have been the equalizer---I feel bad for England. yeah, maybe Germany was the better team but we can never tell what that equalizer would have done.......must be crazy there mate with the MILE FAN...saw it in CNN.....how I wish to catch the football fever that you are experiencing now. Must be crazy. Must be nice to belong.....you go mate---But I go for SPAIN and I think this year is SPAIN's year. hahaha

hi Fufu. Long time I didn't drop by to read your blog. I was so busy with my course. Next week I will start my master study journey. When I looked at the academic calender, I was shocked. It will be an intensive year with research, reports, presentations, clerkship, exam etc. Anyway, I will just do it. I can do it!!

palito : hahaha try to arrange with your teammates... probably can make it in the evening ya :) wish you could join next year, hihihi

pusang kalye : hahaha yeah spain is playing really well now...but i still think holland would be the threat ya... hahaha anyway both holland and spain are playing nice this year....salute!

Janice : oic... master ya?? erm all the best, i am sure you can make it :) i am not doing that good now but i will do my best and will complete the course... hehehe :) do come here when you are free ok?